The five-time LET winner has been chosen to lead young golf stars when the Junior Solheim Cup, founded and sponsored by PING, takes place in the Netherlands in September, 2026.
Van Dam represented Europe herself in the 2013 PING Junior Solheim Cup and again in 2019, when she was part of the winning team at Gleneagles, Scotland.
PING JUNIOR SOLHEIM CUP
The PING Junior Solheim Cup was established by PING back in 2002 by its CEO and chairman, John Solheim, as an addition to the 1990s founded Solheim Cup (the professional ladies golf equivalent of the Ryder Cup and so named in honour of Karsten and Louise Solheim, founders of Karsten Manufacturing Corporation, which makes PING golf equipment).
The Junior Solheim Cup is a team Matchplay competition between Europe and the Unites States, each team featuring the best 12 female U18 golfers (born 2008 or later). The competition provides juniors with the opportunity to further their golfing careers and has showcased the talent of such players like Charley Hull, Carlota Ciganda, Nelly Korda and Lexi Thomson, all of whom have gone on to compete in the actual biennial Solheim Cup.
A MOMENTOUS MOMENT FOR JUNIOR AND WOMEN’S GOLF IN THE NETHERLANDS
For the first time in its history the same course will host both the PING Junior Solheim Cup and the Solheim Cup. The Championship Course at Bernardus Golf, in Cromvoirt, in the Netherlands, has been confirmed as the host venue with the two-day junior event taking place at the beginning of the Solheim Cup week.
“We are thrilled that Bernardus Golf will be hosting the PING Junior Solheim Cup during the same week as the 2026 Solheim Cup. This is a landmark decision, one which will help elevate an already fantastic competition to the next level. We can’t wait to watch in the Netherlands as Europe attempt to regain the trophy under Anne’s leadership. We wish everyone involved the best of luck.” declared Alexandra Armas, the CEO of the Ladies European Tour.
The newly announced PING Junior Solheim Cup Captain says “Having the Netherlands host the Solheim Cup and PING Junior Solheim Cup is a historical moment for my country. We haven’t had many big events apart from the Dutch Opens so I hope this will help to inspire many young girls and boys. It’s going to be a fantastic week.”
AN EXCITING AND VALUABLE EXPERIENCE FOR THE UP AND COMING GENERATION OF PROFESSIONAL LADY GOLFERS
For those young ladies selected to play for either Europe or America, there is the exciting opportunity to meet, learn and be inspired by the professional players in The Solheim Cup and as PING’s Executive Chairman, John A Solheim, points out “Playing the same course as the Solheim Cup will create an exciting atmosphere for Anne to bring out the best in her players. Her experience being on a winning Solheim Cup team, alongside multiple LET titles, will be her biggest asset as she leads a talented group of top junior golfers determined to bring the Junior Solheim Cup back to Europe. She’s a local favourite who will set a great example for her team. We’re excited to have Anne in this important role.”
“IT’S SUCH AN INCREDIBLE HONOUR”
Anne Van Dam has said of her appointment that “It’s one of the proudest moments of my life” and ““It’s such an incredible honour to be asked, one of the easiest yeses I have ever given. I played in the PING Junior Solheim Cup in 2013 so to now be captain is absolutely surreal. I have so many great memories. I feel like I am still quite close to these girls in age that will be playing. I hope I can make it a very fun week and unbelievable experience for them.”
Van Dam is the Netherlands most successful female golfer with seven professional wins, five of which on the LET. She has represented her nation at the 2020 and 2024 Olympic games and continues to compete on both the LET and LPGA Tours. On account of her success and dedication to the game, she is now a figurehead for the Dutch Golf Federation and golf in the Netherlands. It is no wonder that Ven Dam was picked being cited as “an excellent choice to captain Europe’s 2026 PING Junior Solheim Cup team in her home country.” by John Solheim.
The LET CEO, Alexandra Armas, said ““We are delighted that Anne has agreed to be Europe’s next PING Junior Solheim Cup captain. Anne is still at the peak of her game so this appointment adds a huge level of prestige to the competition. Anne brought tremendous passion and pride to the European team room in 2019 and we can’t wait for this energy to resonate with the next generation of European stars.”
LOOKING TOWARD BUILDING HER EUSOPEAN TEAM
Anne is yet to select her vice-captain and nor has the process yet started to formally select the additional six girls that will formulate the European Junior Solheim team to the leading six players from the PING Junior Solheim Cup Rankings (who will earn automatic selection). “Once next year comes around I will need to pick my vice-captain which is very exciting. I then plan to make it out to a few of the big amateur events to see the girls play. It’s such a cool part of it and I’m really excited. I can’t wait to create a bond with these girls. It’s going to be an incredible experience.”
Whomever is selected by Van Dam or earns their place on the European team will be vying to win back the trophy from the 2024 winners, the USA and looking to overturn their record-breaking winning score of 18½-5½ over Team Europe at Army Navy Country Club in Arlington, Virginia.
Follow the PING Junior Solheim Cup team’s journey on Instagram at @pingjrsolheimcupeurope or more about both Solheim Cups at www.solheimcup.com
Related: New documentary reveals Finca Cortesin’s epic journey to the 2023 Solheim Cup
